A seven-day shutdown called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, in support of its Gorkhaland statehood demand, begins tomorrow in the Darjeeling hills, with party chief Bimal Gurung indicating that an invitation from the Centre for talks is in the offing.

Gurung said, "In the next few days good news will come from Delhi."

He said at Kalimpong yesterday that the next few days would determine whether the bandh calls had put pressure on the Centre and the West Bengal government.

The GJM had earlier observed a four-day bandh from January 12 on the same demand.

Tea gardens, schools and colleges have been exempted from the purview of the bandh starting tomorrow.

Official sources said around 100 CRPF personnel have arrived here and have been stationed at Teesta Bazar in Kalimpong sub-division.

If the demand remains unresolved another shutdown would be called from January 29 to February 12, followed by an indefinite  fast by Gurung and other leaders from February 16, the GJM threatened.